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the Cuba Finch. It is rather like that of the Chingolo Song-

sparrow—noisy, but not remarkably pleasant. They have the

funniest love dance I ever saw in a small bird.


As to Buntings, I have several Red-backed Buntings

(.Emberiza nitila), Brown-headed Buntings ( E . luteola) Ortolans,

and, of course, Nonpareils and Indigos—also the rare little Seven-

streaked Bunting (.Fringillaria semptemshiald) from N.E. Africa.

As to the so-called ‘ natural antipathy’ of Nonpareils and Indigos,

I must confess myself sceptical. Having kept several pairs of

each species together for a considerable time I have found no

trace of it apparent—on the contrary they usually perch upon

the same tree.


To run rapidly through my Weaving Finches, of the

Whydahs, the smaller species only are possible in a bird-room.

But I have the Broken-collared Whydah, which the Frencli

dealers call the ‘ Veuve de Madagascar.’ The bird is obviously

different in many respedts from the ordinary Paradise Whydah

when in colour, but the English authorities do not appear to

distinguish it. One or two Rufous-backed Mannikins and Dwarf

Finches, and several pairs of Pied Grass Finches are all that are

worth mentioning among the Spermestes.


The African Fire Finches (Lagonosticta) are heart-break¬

ing birds. The two ordinary species (A. senegala and A. minima)

are difficult enough to keep in health—at any rate the cocks are.

But with the exception of the Brown-headed Fire Finch (A.

brunneiceps ), and the Masked Fire Finch (A. larvata and A.

vinacea), I have never been able to keep any other species for

more than a couple of months. The survivor of a pair invariably

follows his or her partner in a couple of days. In most cases

the mischief is done before they arrive. Eavender Finches have

in comparison the constitutions of giants. I had a Grey-tailed

Eavender Finch (A. incana ) sent me lately with some of the

ordinary species, but it died the second day.


Of Red-headed Finches (Amadina erythroccphala) I have

only cocks. The constant egg-binding of the hens, and the

difficulty of replacing them, has led me to substitute hen Cut¬

throats which please the cocks equally well. The egg-binding

continues, but the expense is less.


My experience of Diamond Sparrows is that they are

harmless—nay, positively benevolent in disposition. My pairs

sit together all day in a large open nesting-box, buttressed up

all round by rows of Waxbills, who evidently have a great

respect and affection for them. Another wickedly maligned bird



